Productivity

Staff turnover is disruptive to associations. There’s even a direct relationship between staff morale and retention? Try keeping morale up with these free or low-cost ideas: Free coffee is the norm for offices these days. How about putting water, pop, and tea in the mix? Stock the kitchen with healthy snacks or at least subsidize the soda and snack vending machines. Provide lunch once a month or at least allow enough time for a regular monthly potluck. Lose the shoes. […]

Frank Kenny explains how to post to social media even when you’re too busy. Are you sometimes so crunched for time that you fail to post to social media when you meant to? Most membership professionals are that busy. But that doesn’t mean your social media content shouldn’t get posted. I would like to share a quick story with you of how I discovered a strategy (and a few helpful tools) that allowed me to make sure my social media […]

The GrowthZone team just returned from three packed days of professional development, networking, and leadership growth at The Associated General Contractors of America Executive Leadership Institute annual conference. From fantastic keynote speakers to intriguing breakout sessions, it was the premier gathering of chapter executives to exchange best practices and hone leadership skills. The GrowthZone booth was a whirlwind of activity. We were thrilled to meet and connect with chapter executives from every region of the country. Soaking up education and […]

Five out of every six phone calls go straight to voice mail. If you‘re in sales, or business of any kind, you know how frustrating this can be. Increase the odds of getting a call back by mentally composing your message before each call. And remember, people hate it when callers state their name and phone number too quickly in voice mail messages – no one wants to listen to a message ten times to comprehend simple information. To improve your chances […]

Securing funding for your association can be challenging. While the non-dues revenue route is all-too familiar, an often-overlooked source for funding is grants. There are many sources for grants, the most accessible and obvious being government grants. However, a simple web search for available grants produces thousands of results beyond those provided by local, state, and federal governments. Even if your association isn’t eligible, consider the benefit of communicating grant opportunities to your membership. For example, what if you sent your members […]

Recruiting association volunteers can be tough. Retaining them can be even tougher. But if you unlock the secret to the psychology behind volunteering, you’ll have a formula that works. Get (and keep) the attention of your newest members by implementing the tips and programs in The Fundamentals of New-Member Communications. Why DO people volunteer? According to renowned psychologist David McClelland, volunteers have three motivation drivers regardless of gender, culture or age. ACHIEVEMENT: People want a sense of accomplishment and to […]

One Association’s journey from frustrating software to a streamlined management process. The Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties (HBADOC) was using outdated and malfunctioning association management software. According to Kristina Ellis, the Director of Operations, they needed a system that integrated their website and database while giving their members an interactive, “hands-on” experience. Initially, they hired a third party to build a new website with member login functionality. Unfortunately, that created more problems than solutions because the […]

GrowthZone surveyed over 1,000 association professionals across the U.S. and Canada. We found out everything from their Top 5 recruitment methods to their most utilized member benefits. Respondents from organizations of various sizes shared their biggest challenges as well as their top sources for non-dues revenue. In its third year, the Association Trends Survey Infographic is again expected to be our most downloaded piece of content. Take a look at the easy-to-read infographic of the results and see how your association […]

The ASAE MMCC conference was amazing! From the keynote speakers to mariachi bands, it was a whirlwind of activity. Thanks to ASAE for organizing another exceptional event. The GrowthZone booth was a flurry of activity. It was fantastic to meet so many new people as well as see familiar faces. We’re glad everyone loved the lava lamp pens and appreciate those who took the time to fill out the survey. As always, it is interesting to hear about what’s working […]

Celebrate spring by organizing your office. De-cluttering and refreshing your workspace improves motivation and efficiency. Take a minute to check out your office for “curb appeal.” Does it say, “A professional accomplishes things here”? If not, follow these steps to solve the problem. Organize Your Office in 5 Minutes • See which pens work and which are taking up drawer space. Also, ditch bent paper clips, loose staples, etc. • Return borrowed items with a polite “Thank you.” • Pitch […]